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Giants Giving Defensive End Moore A Shot To Show His Stuff

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) — Second-year defensive end Damontre Moore is finally going to get a chance to show the New York Giants what he can do.

It just may not be as a starter.

The third-round pick is going to get extra playing time against Tennessee on Sunday because defensive ends Mathias Kiwanuka and Robert Ayers were placed on injured reserve earlier this week.

"Anytime an opportunity presented itself in the past, I've taken advantage of it," Moore said Thursday after practice. "I've been waiting for it a long time. I'm just waiting to step up. I've been preparing a lot and then I had a lot of great veteran leadership that was in front of me within these past two years."

It is uncertain whether Moore will start at left end for Mathias Kiwanuka (knee).

With Jason Pierre-Paul starting on the right side that would give the Giants (3-9) two dynamic pass rushers and two playmakers. Moore, however, is not good against the run and that is a concern for defensive coordinator Perry Fewell.

His other option would be to start tackle Cullen Jenkins at left end and have Moore be the main backup at both ends. The Giants are deep at the tackle spot.

The problem is Jenkins has missed four of the last five games with a calf injury and he was limited at practice on Thursday.

Fewell has been blunt talking about Moore. While general manager Jerry Reese has said that he wants to see Moore play more, Fewell has repeatedly said the athletic lineman has not been consistent at practice.

When asked if Moore was ready to be an every-down lineman, Fewell said no.

"We'd like for him to play the run stouter than he plays it right now, but I think that he'll be in a rotation," he said. "He won't be an every down defender for us."

Fewell said the 256-pound Moore needs to get stronger and be more disciplined.

Moore said it's obvious he is a better past rusher at this point. Seeing limited action, his three sacks are fourth best on the team.

"Experience is our best teacher. I've had two years to get bigger, stronger and faster and just hone my skills and just take advice from Jason Pierre-Paul, who is such a great mentor," Moore said. "Honestly, like I said, I'm just ready to go out there and prove to everybody that I can do it."

Moore acknowledged that he has been not had the best practice habits.

"I think that's one of those things that I internally have to fight with," he said. "Being a young guy and being so accustomed to coming in, playing early as a true freshman in college, I felt like something was supposed to be given me, which, at this level, nothing's going to be given to you. I feel the same type of way and that's my fault. I prolonged that process."

Moore has one advantage this weekend. The former Texas A&M product played against Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger in a game against LSU.

"He's going to compete and he's going to talk trash," Moore said. "That's one of those quarterbacks that I like to play against."

NOTES: RB Rashad Jennings (ankle) missed his second straight practice, so expect rookie Andre Williams to see more action. If Jennings can't play, recently signed Orleans Darkwa would be the No. 2 back. He has been limited to special teams that last three weeks. ... LB Jacquian Williams (concussion) also didn't practice Thursday after being limited on Wednesday. With Williams and Mark Herzlich (concussion) not practicing, the Giants have only three tested linebackers Spencer Paysinger, Jameel McClain and Devon Kennard. Fewell plans to use his safeties more to compensate. ... Special teams coordinator Tom Quinn will have to wear a boot for 4-to-6 weeks after tearing a calf muscle on Sunday.

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(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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